Production, Characterization, and Evaluation of Pellets from Rice Harvest Residues

Cristina Moliner,Barbara Bosio,Elisabetta Arato,Alberto Lagazzo,Rodolfo Botter

doi:10.3390/en13020479

Abstract

Pellets from residues from rice harvest (i.e., straw and husk) were produced and their main properties were evaluated. Firstly, rice straw pellets were produced at lab scale at varying operational conditions (i.e., load compression and wt % of feeding moisture content) to evaluate their suitability for palletization. Successively, rice straw and husk pellets were commercially produced. All the samples were characterized in terms of their main physical, chemical, and physico-chemical properties. In addition, axial/diametral compression and durability tests were performed to assess their mechanical performance. All the analyzed properties were compared with the established quality standards for non-woody pellets. In general, rice straw pellets presented suitable properties for their use as pelletized fuels. Rice husk pellets fell out of the standards in recommended size or durability and thus preliminary treatments might be required prior their use as fuels.

Highlights

Rice is one of the most consumed crops worldwide, with an annual production of 700 million tons according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations database [1]
For example, is usually eliminated by uncontrolled burning with harmful consequences related to air, flora, and fauna pollution in wetlands
Rice straw pellets were initially produced at lab scale at varying operational conditions to evaluate their suitability for palletization without the use of binders

Summary

Introduction

Rice is one of the most consumed crops worldwide, with an annual production of 700 million tons according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations database [1]. The largest producers in Europe are Italy and Spain with an 80% of the total rice production. (with a total cultivated surface of 220,000 ha) is the largest producer mainly in the Po basin (the Piedmont, Lombardy, Venetia, and the Romagna). The second-largest European rice producer is Spain, with 117,000 ha. Andalucia and Valencia are the main rice-producing regions, the latter harboring a more stable water supply which benefits the production. For example, is usually eliminated by uncontrolled burning with harmful consequences related to air, flora, and fauna pollution in wetlands. Rice waste is abandoned or sunk, being decomposed in fields, causing major die-off of fish and other aquatic fauna in deeper areas [2]. Different European moratoria permitting uncontrolled burning are being applied, since no reliable solutions are being implemented

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Conclusion